Mystery Nut and Bolt

[BBiondello]

What’s going on everyone. Have a mystery bolt that appeared when changing my oil yesterday.

To start, I had my timing belt/water pump replaced a few weeks ago, when I got home from the shop who serviced it I noticed a nut resting on the windshield. No big deal, these things happen I’m sure (hopefully) they misplaced it and still replaced with the appropriate nut.

Fast forward a few weeks and I’m under my truck changing the oil and I see this bolt resting under my CV, panicked thinking I snapped something on the half shaft or tie rod, etc. - Gave it a little pull and she came right out, didn’t appear to be snapped off of anything and I was confused for a few minutes until I remembered the bolt. Lo and behold they’re a perfect match.

My question is, can anyone identify where this bolt would have come from, still assuming it was during the timing belt job, and if I should contact the mechanic and says what’s up or just assume it was appropriately replaced if it was dropped?

Thanks all, pics below - including where I found it.

 

[GerLC100]

Looks to me similar like the bolts I had seen when installing my diff drop and the diff bushings. I would perhaps checked those if one is missing.

 

[BullElk]

Seems to look like timing belt cover or fan bracket bolt.

 

[Mike NXP]

I bet someone will be able to ID that, but not me. I'm searching around but no luck. Call the shop and ask, maybe the tech remembers.

What about AC compressor, isn't one of the mounting bolts sort of like this ( Just a guess, could be wrong )

Trying to think of what else may have been touched when doing your Timing belt job

 

[Mike NXP]

credit due to above comment leading me to the right place,

could it be? Not sure why they would have removed this for timing belt. Also seems unlikely it would have come loose. Drop your skid plate and get in there to check it out. Post pics.

 

[GerLC100]

If that's right it might also explain your clunk when shifting R to D in case you have one :-D

 

[BBiondello]

Update:

Called the shop, mechanic there reassured me any dropped nuts/bolts would have been replaced which I had assumed but was nice to hear directly.

Dropped the skid plate and was hunting for missing nuts and bolts anyways, pretty sure I found the above mentioned bolt in the appropriate locations, so going to move on from this. Appreciate all your guys input!